Engineering Manager: Product Engineering

Hendrickson•Canton, OH

About The Position

Responsible for leading the Product and Applications Engineering functions for major product systems and components of the Trailer Division. The role drives technical excellence in product design and support, applications, value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE), and continuous improvement, and manages professional-level engineers and designers. The Engineering Manager works with Product Line Leaders, business units, customers, production facilities, R&D, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, and suppliers. The position oversees engineering execution, product drawings and design changes, design validation, FMEA, AQP and PPAP activities, and the development of engineering capabilities and best practices. The role also supports intellectual property matters and prepares materials for management review. The position is performed in an office setting, with exposure to R&D and manufacturing environments. Frequent sitting and extended computer use are required, along with moderate travel as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a similar discipline.
Eight or more years of engineering experience in automotive, heavy equipment, or a related industry is desired.
Demonstrated ability to manage people and multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Ability to specify, organize, and prioritize work deliverables.
Self-motivated, with strong leadership, organization, and planning skills.
Knowledge of dimensioning and tolerance practices per ANSI Y14.5.
Computer literacy in a Windows environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Good interpersonal skills and ability to build working relationships with suppliers, customers, and colleagues throughout Hendrickson.
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and plan work to meet deadlines.
Detail-oriented, able to handle multiple assignments and complete work within demanding time frames with minimal supervision.
Strong numeric, analytical, and mechanical skills.
Ability to learn quickly, ask questions for clarification, take initiative, and work effectively in a team.

Nice To Haves

Experience in automotive engineering, preferably commercial vehicles, or in heavy equipment or a related industry.
Experience in vehicle structural design, preferably heavy- or medium-duty trucks, with exposure to vehicle dynamics, structural analysis, fatigue analysis, and system design.
Knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes such as welding, stamping, forming, machining, casting, forging, and fasteners.
Solid modeling experience using 3D modeling software; PTC Creo is preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with Product Line Leaders to support the technical needs of business units.
Align Product and Applications Engineering efforts with priorities, schedules, metrics, and work standards.
Provide technical support and oversight of business unit engineering execution.
Develop the technical competence and capabilities of engineering teams.
Drive innovation and problem-solving processes.
Create and continuously improve engineering process best practices.
Work with customers and production facilities to ensure products meet or exceed expectations.
Respond to customer inquiries about product specifications, performance, and applications.
Manage the creation and release of drawings and design changes for new and existing products.
Ensure drawings and specifications meet design fit, form, and function requirements.
Drive a design FMEA process aligned with SAE and AIAG standards.
Work with R&D to ensure changes are appropriately specified and validated; approve design validations.
Ensure engineering participation in AQP meetings; communicate design intent and requirements, specify PPAP requirements, and review and approve submissions.
Review deviations and establish appropriate controls and approval requirements.
Work with internal manufacturing, purchasing, and quality teams, and external suppliers, to develop solutions to design problems.
Support intellectual property development and help manage related legal matters.
Create and present materials for management review.
Manage professional-level engineers and designers.